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D-dimer and thrombin/antithrombin III complex--diagnostic tools in deep venous thrombosis?
L Tengborn1, S Palmblad, J Wojciechowski
1Department of Medicine, Sahlgren's Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Haemostasis
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Evaluating D-dimer and thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis, a new latex assay showed high sensitivity. This simple, cost-effective D-dimer test may reduce the need for phlebography in suspected DVT cases.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion and objective testing.
- D-dimer and thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) are biomarkers investigated for DVT diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of three D-dimer assays and one TAT assay in patients with suspected DVT.
- To compare the sensitivity and negative predictive value of different diagnostic methods.
Main Methods:
- Study included 96 outpatients with suspected DVT; 36 had confirmed DVT via phlebography.
- Assessed D-dimer using ELISA and latex tests (Diagnostica Stago, Biopool).
- Assessed TAT using ELISA (Behringwerke).
Main Results:
- D-dimer ELISA and the new Biopool latex method demonstrated high sensitivity (97% and 96%, respectively) and negative predictive values.
- The Diagnostica Stago latex method and TAT showed lower sensitivity and negative predictive values.
- No significant difference in D-dimer results was observed with or without antifibrinolytics in blood collection tubes.
Conclusions:
- The Biopool latex D-dimer assay is a sensitive and potentially cost-effective tool for ruling out DVT.
- Negative results from the Biopool latex D-dimer assay could decrease the necessity for invasive phlebographic examinations.
- D-dimer testing, particularly with improved assays, offers a valuable non-invasive approach in DVT diagnostics.